Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced last week that the state will support the installation of security upgrades at in multiple school districts throughout Ohio – including Adams County.
The grant funding is to enhance student and staff safety. Governor DeWine is awarding the funds as part of his K-12 School Safety Grant Program, which helps schools with physical security expenses, such as new security cameras, public address systems, automatic door locks, visitor badging systems, and exterior lighting.
“We are being proactive in keeping our schools safe in Ohio. Student and staff safety is paramount,” said Governor DeWine. “These safety grants are helping schools create environments that are secure and welcoming for teachers and their students.”
Locally, the Manchester Local School District will receive $200,000, to be split between the Manchester High School and Manchester Elementary School. The Adams County Christian School will receive $100,000 and the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District will receive $670,000 to be used in Peebles, West Union, and North Adams Elementary and High Schools as well as the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center. The award from the state of Ohio adds up to $970,000.
“School safety plays a crucial role in the academic success of students,” said Cheryl J. Lyman, executive director of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. “Students who do not feel safe at school cannot learn to their fullest potential.”
Governor DeWine created the Ohio School Safety Center in 2019 to assist local schools, colleges, universities, and law enforcement agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety.
